Frequently-Asked Questions

How do I get a library card with the Muskingum County Library System?

Simply visit any of the six public libraries in Muskingum County or click here to register online.

A parent or guardian must sign for applicants 13 years of age or younger. The signature of a parent or guardian is required for library card holders under 18 years of age who wish to borrow A/V materials with their library card and/or use the OPLIN/Internet workstations. The signature of a parent or guardian indicates that they accept responsibility for all fines, damages, and/or loss of borrowed materials on the card. A lost or stolen card may be replaced for $1. Please inform the library of a change of address and report a lost or stolen library card as soon as possible.

How long may I borrow library materials?

Nonfiction Video Cassettes, Nonfiction DVDs and All other circulating materials
28 days

Please present your library card when borrowing library materials. For your security, only you may use your library card to borrow materials. If you do not have your library card with you, a photo ID may be used, or we will gladly hold your selections for 48 hours. You may have a total of 50 items borrowed on your library card at one time. This total may include 5 videos and/or DVDs, 5 music cassettes and/or compact discs, and 5 CD ROMs. Overdue fines are $1 per day for videos and DVDs and $.10 per day for all other materials.

May I place a “Hold” for an item that is currently checked out?

Yes! Library customers may place “holds” for items in the library collection that are currently borrowed or located at another library in our system. To place a hold on an item, simply follow the instructions on the library on-line catalog or complete a hold card available at the public service desk in your library. You will be notified when the item becomes available and it will be held for you up to 48 hours. If you are attempting to place a hold from home via the online library catalog and have difficulty or questions, please contact the Reference Department at 740.453.0391, ext. 116 or 132, e-mail reference1@muskingumlibrary.org.

How do I find out about library programs and events?

Your library publishes a monthly newsletter – Library Lineup. We are happy to send the newsletter directly to your home or office free of charge. Your name will not be sold or used for any purpose other than to send library related announcements and mailings. To signup for a newsletter contact Blair Tom, blair@muskingumlibrary.org.

Can I renew items I have borrowed from the library?

Many library materials can be renewed for an extended loan period if there aren’t any current holds for the item. The following items CANNOT be renewed – new adult fiction, CDs, Cassettes, fiction videos and DVDs, magazines. All other books, books on tape, books on CD, and nonfiction videos may be renewed for a period of 14 days. If you are not sure if an item may be renewed, please ask a library associate. If your items are not overdue and you have no fines on your library card, you may renew in person or over the telephone by calling 740.453.0391, ext. 110. You may also renew materials on the library web page by visiting the library online catalog, and typing in your library barcode found on the back of your library card and personal pin number. If the material is overdue and/or you have fines on your library card, you must bring the item to a library and pay any overdue fines to renew your materials.

What is OPLIN?

OPLIN (Ohio Public library Information Network) provides access to the Internet via high-speed telecommunications lines for Ohio’s public libraries. OPLIN also provides high quality information databases not freely available on the world wide web.